#(Cinclus mexicanus)

[birdblues]

American Dipper

[na-bird-of-the-day]

BOTD: American Dipper

Photo: Larry Lamsa

"The American Dipper is unique — it's the only North American songbird that routinely swims! Named for its constant up-and-down bobbing movements, this unusual bird has a number of adaptations that allow it to live an aquatic lifestyle. Since the American Dipper spends a lot of time in and around cold water, it has a number of special adaptations that allows it to survive in that environment. This swimming songbird has a lower-than-usual metabolic rate and extra oxygen-carrying capacity in its blood — both important for retaining body heat in cold water."

- American Bird Conservancy

[proton-wobbler]

Semifinals, Poll 1

American Dipper vs Blakiston's Fish Owl

sources under the cut

American Dipper (Cinclus mexicanus)

"He is the mountain streams' own darling, the humming-bird of blooming waters, loving rocky ripple-slopes and sheets of foam as a bee loves flowers, as a lark loves sunshine and meadows." - naturalist John Muir

eBird Sightings: 131,700; IUCN Redlist Rating: Least Concern

A songbird who has decided to take to swimming to catch his dinner, the American Dipper is our only species of dipper in North America. They span from Alaska down to Panama, living alongside clear, mountainous streams. Because they need clean and free flowing water to effectively hunt, and their prey need similar conditions to grow numerous, they are a good indicator species for water quality.

Blakiston's Fish Owl (Keputa blakistoni)

"[These] are amongst the most aquatically-based owls in the world" - Wikipedia "Massive, pale brown owl with plump, rounded ear tufts" - eBird

eBird Sightings: 396; IUCN Redlist Rating: Endangered

The largest living species of owl, Blakiston's Fish Owl inhabits dense, undisturbed old-growth forests near waterways in Russia and Japan. So long as they've got a stretch of river that doesn't freeze over, they can remain in their forests throughout the winter months. Their name comes from the fact their main prey is fish, sometimes large fish which are two or three times the weight of the owl itself. Despite this, they're more closely related to eagle-owls than true fish-owls, an African genus.

Image Sources: Dipper (Mark Daly); Fish-Owl (Julie Edgley)

[dwmmphotography]

Just a post to visit my favorite non-corvid songbird.

[wingedjewels]

American Dipper adult feeding young by Michael W Potter Via Flickr: Young American Dippers are insistent in begging from their parents. The transparency of Lake O’Hara (in this image from Yoho National Park, British Columbia) reinforces the requirement of dippers for good quality, uncontaminated water.

[rwking01stuff-blog]

It only took 9 years .... American Dipper (Cinclus mexicanus)

At last after a 9 year wait!

The first time I saw an American Dipper was in November 2014. I was on a Bald Eagle workshop with Moose Peterson in Haines, Alaska. It was a very dull and dark day and I saw this tiny (compared to Bald Eagles) quickly working along the river bank. I asked what it was and Moose said an American Dipper. Of course the light was so poor I couldn’t get a good image. Unfortunately, I did not see it…

[herpsandbirds]

American Dipper aka Water Ouzel (Cinclus mexicanus), family Cinclidae, order Passeriformes, Post Angeles, WA, USA

photograph by Axe and Anchor Photography

[riverwindphotography]

An American Dipper (Cinclus mexicanus) with a beak full of larvae, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

(c) riverwindphotography, July 2023

[spinus-pinus]

American Dipper Cinclus mexicanus

2/13/2023 Provo Canyon, Utah

[freaksnature]

Weird Birds

all birds are weird cause they're reptiles but here are especially weird birds

Hooded Pitohui - Pitohui dichrous LC

poisonous bird, scientist confirmed if you touch it then touch your fingers to your mouth it makes your mouth numb, important science

American Dipper - Cinclus mexicanus LC

looks like normal bird, lies only genus of semi-aquatic song bird flies through water

Bearded Vulture/Lammergeier - Gypaetus barbatus NT

primarily eats bones, generally terrifying

Magnificent Frigatebird - Fregata magnificens LC

thinks it's a frog, speaks for itself

Resplendent Quetzal - Pharomachrus mocinno NT

actually an aztec god will sing again when land if free from Spanish rule

American Woodcock - Scolopax minor LC

actual nicknames include memebird, timberdoodle, mudbat bogsucker, night partridge and labrador twister, slowest flying bird 8km/h 5mph

Oilbird/Guácharo - Steatornis caripensis LC

birds that decided to become bats, live in colonies in caves, nocturnal, uses echolocation to navigate, eats fruit, who wore it better

Shoebill - Balaeniceps rex VU

actual dinosaur related to pelicans, carnivorous, makes terrifying clacking noises with beak

Hoatzin - Opisthocomus hoazin LC

stink bird, capable of fermentation digestion similar to ruminant mammals, chicks have two functional claws on wings

Maleo - Macrocephalon maleo CR EN

deadbeat parents bury their eggs in sand and leave, chicks digs it's way out dries off and within hours can fly

[uncharismatic-fauna]

An American Dipper (Cinclus mexicanus) spottted while on a walk today. These birds are good indicators of water quality, as they only live near fast-moving streams where they can hunt for aquatic insects.

You can check out some clearer photos on my ko-fi!

[birdblues]

American Dipper

[rhiannatruex]

American Dipper | Cinclus mexicanus

[alonglistofbirds]

[176/10,977] American Dipper - Cinclus mexicanus

Order: Passeriformes Suborder: Passeri Superfamily: Muscicapoidea Family: Cinclidae (dippers)

Photo credit: Derek Hameister via Macaulay Library

[ruttotohtori]

Amerikankoskikara (Cinclus mexicanus)

the american dipper, also known as the water ouzel, is a small semiaquatic bird found in central america & portions of north america. this bird was the favorite bird of renowned naturalist john muir. they feed on aquatic insect larvae along with other small aquatic prey like crayfish. due to their size, they are sometimes preyed on by large fish like trout. they have nictating membranes that allow them to see underwater, along with scaled nostrils that block water from entering their beaks, making them skilled underwater hunters. they are good indicators of water health, and they are rarely found in polluted waters.

[herpsandbirds]

American Dipper aka Water Ouzel (Cinclus mexicanus), family Cinclidae, order Passeriformes, Idaho, USA

photograph by Ken Bonner